Chapter 171: Yellow Armor, Red Armor, White Armor
Inside the large tent, three soldiers wearing cotton armor stood quietly.
However, the colors of their cotton armor were completely different.
The middle soldier’s cotton armor was yellow, while the left and right were white and red respectively.
Li Xiao had them display the cotton armor to all the generals, then said softly: “The cotton armor they are wearing is from the latest batch produced.”
“The cotton has undergone repeated soaking and beating, compressed tightly~”
“The armor plates are all made of Hexi steel, with weight no different from ordinary armor plates, but defensive power superior.”
“The overall weight of each piece of cotton armor is around forty jin~”
Overall, the second-generation cotton armor has stronger defense than the previous cotton armor.
Li Dashan and the others, looking at this brand-new cotton armor, all showed hehe smiles on their faces.
Good!
In the future, if half of the men under their command can wear cotton armor, then whether on the grassland or in the west, Jin Prefecture’s iron cavalry will be invincible.
“Great Governor, why three colors now?” someone asked puzzledly.
Previously in Jin Prefecture, lacking dyeing technology, the produced cotton armor was all the most primitive color of cotton cloth, grayish-white.
But since conquering the Great Desert and Gaochang, dyeing cloth is no longer a problem.
Li Xiao added red and yellow colors on top of the original grayish-white cotton armor.
“Because these three colors relate to the reform of my Jin Prefecture Army’s military system.”
Li Xiao had all the generals sit back in their seats and announced: “Up to now, my Jin Prefecture Army has thirty-seven chiliarchs, and this number will increase in the future.”
“Therefore, this Governor decides to add two permanent commander positions above the chiliarchs.”
“Commander and Myriad Household Commander!”
As soon as Li Xiao finished speaking, the generals all looked at each other, their hearts starting to stir with excitement.
The meaning of Myriad Household Commander was easy to understand, but what a Commander was still unclear.
But since there were these two commander positions, it meant they had a chance for promotion.
“Five chiliarchs form one Ten-Thousand Household Office, with one Myriad Household Commander and one Deputy Myriad Household Commander.”
“Five Ten-Thousand Household Offices form one Military Town, with one Commander and one Deputy Commander.” Li Xiao said in a deep voice.
Ten men form one squad, with one Squad Leader and one Deputy Squad Leader.
Five squads form one company, totaling fifty households, with one Captain and one Deputy Captain.
Four companies form one Centurion’s Residence, totaling two hundred households, with one Centurion and one Deputy Centurion.
Five Centurion’s Residences form one Chiliarch’s Residence, totaling one thousand households, with one Chiliarch and one Deputy Chiliarch.
Five Chiliarch’s Residences form one Ten-Thousand Household Office, totaling five thousand households, with one Myriad Household Commander and one Deputy Myriad Household Commander.
Five Ten-Thousand Household Offices form one Military Town, totaling twenty-five thousand households, with one Commander and one Deputy Commander.
This system’s reform is not particularly novel; it is actually just an improved version of the Jin Dynasty’s Meng’an Mouke system.
A Jurchen mouke is three hundred households, a meng’an three thousand households.
Above meng’an is the Ten-Thousand Household Office, overseeing multiple meng’ans.
Peasants in peacetime, soldiers in wartime.
This system is a product of slave society, something Huaxia eliminated over a thousand years ago.
It has many drawbacks.
But for current Jin Prefecture, it is the most suitable management system.
The cost of military-civilian separation is too high; current Jin Prefecture cannot implement it.
Only this soldier-peasant integrated method can maximize the use of Jin Prefecture’s limited manpower and material resources.
Jin Prefecture Army’s basic combat unit is the Centurion’s Residence.
Soldiers in the same Centurion’s Residence live together daily, are familiar with each other, and may even be relatives.
In battle, they trust each other more, cooperate seamlessly, with stronger combat strength and cohesion.
Therefore, although Li Xiao knows the drawbacks of this system, he must use it currently, as it is a sharp tool for conquering the world.
Only when truly ruling the world can reforms be carried out slowly.
“My Jin Prefecture currently has thirty-eight chiliarchs; this Governor decides to form three Military Towns with them.” Li Xiao said in a flat voice.
Then, he waved his hand lightly, and a personal guard came forward holding a golden cavalry saber with both hands.
Li Xiao took the cavalry saber, his gaze sweeping over the generals, finally landing on Li Dashan.
“Li Dashan!”
“Here.”
Li Dashan immediately stood up, a slight joy showing in his brows and eyes, clearly realizing something.
Moreover, in terms of seniority, he had followed Li Xiao since he was still a Fort Master.
In terms of ability, he had established great military merits; the thirteen chiliarch armies in the Great Desert were all well-managed under him.
So, among these three Commanders, there must be a position for Li Dashan.
“Appoint you as Third Town Commander, concurrently Desert Guard General.”
With that, Li Xiao handed the cavalry saber to Li Dashan.
The cavalry saber, formally called the Wu Rong Saber, is Jin Prefecture Army’s standard military saber, not just a weapon but a symbol of status and honor.
From Centurion upward, every officer receives the cavalry saber personally from Li Xiao upon taking office.
Centurion saber hilt has a silver-cast wolf head.
Chiliarch saber hilt has a gold-cast eagle head.
Myriad Household Commander saber hilt has a gold-cast lion head.
Commander saber hilt has a gold-cast tiger head.
Li Dashan’s previous official position was Chiliarch, and compared to his previous cavalry saber, it was just the ornament changed to a tiger head.
But it made Li Dashan unable to put it down.
After the saber granting, Li Xiao arranged the composition of the Third Town.
“Third Town commands twelve chiliarchs, three Ten-Thousand Household Offices.”
“Chiliarch Zhu Dachang, Chiliarch Chen Erqiang, Chiliarch…”
Li Xiao named all twelve, some present in the tent saluting Li Xiao with hand to chest.
“Your twelve Chiliarch’s Residences belong to Third Town’s command.”
“Understood!” Zhu Dachang and the others shouted loudly.
The Chiliarch’s Residences under Jin Prefecture’s three Military Towns are not entirely divided by region but have some randomness.
Just like the Great Desert guarded by Li Dashan, which has thirteen chiliarchs.
However, of these thirteen chiliarchs, Li Xiao assigned only five to the Third Town.
The other eight chiliarchs belong to the First Town and Second Town respectively.
Li Dashan can only command these eight chiliarchs militarily as Desert Guard General, without interfering in their civil affairs.
The civil authority over these eight chiliarchs still belongs to the Commanders of the other two Towns.
Li Xiao’s purpose is simple: unable to fully separate military and civil, limit commanders’ power as much as possible.
If Li Dashan’s army were all concentrated in one place, with absolute military and civil power.
Far from the emperor, over time it would inevitably form local separatism.
This is not about Li Dashan’s loyalty, but a bottom-up will driving him inevitably.
So, at the establishment of the Military Towns, Li Xiao simply separated military and civil at the upper level.
Li Dashan has absolute military and civil power only over the five chiliarchs in the Great Desert.
Over the other seven chiliarchs of the Third Town in Jin Prefecture, he has absolute civil power.
Over the other eight chiliarchs in the Great Desert, he has only temporary command authority as Protector General.
After the appointments, Li Xiao pointed to a piece of cotton armor and said: “This white cotton armor is the armor of your Third Town.”
“From now on, Third Town will hang white Sun and Moon Battle Flags as the marker distinguishing it from the other two Towns.”
“Understood.” Li Dashan shouted.
From now on, the White Armored Army name will fall on the Third Town.
The reason for using different colors to distinguish the three Military Towns is mainly because soldiers of this era are mostly illiterate.
But they recognize colors.
In the chaotic battlefield environment, once soldiers get scattered, they can quickly rejoin by seeing their own color.
“Appoint Li Erjiang as Second Town Commander, concurrently Golden Mountain Protector General.”
“Second Town commands twelve chiliarchs, three Ten-Thousand Household Offices.”
“Use red banners and red armor.” Li Xiao said.
Li Erjiang is currently in Golden Mountain and cannot personally receive Li Xiao’s appointment.
“First Town Commander will be personally served by this Governor.”
“Commands thirteen chiliarchs, three Ten-Thousand Household Offices.”
“Use yellow banners and yellow armor.”
Then, Li Xiao appointed six Myriad Household Commanders.
The reason it is six is that Li Xiao and the three Commanders also concurrently serve as Myriad Household Commanders.
Moreover, Li Dashan and Li Erjiang’s original Chiliarch positions were not relinquished.
But became their guard Chiliarch’s Residences.
“Appoint Qin Chunsheng as Second Ten-Thousand Household Office Myriad Household Commander of the First Town.”
As Li Xiao finished speaking, a middle-aged burly man stood out, his face solemn, right hand to chest shouting: “Understood.”
Qin Chunsheng is Qin Kaishan’s second son, Li Xiao’s second uncle.
Qin Family’s eldest, like Li Dahai, died in battle against the Geluolu people.
So now, Gushan Fort and Qin Family’s banners are both upheld by Qin Chunsheng.
Since Li Xiao’s rise, Qin Chunsheng has followed behind him, campaigning south and north, earning considerable merit.
In terms of seniority, ability, or loyalty, Qin Chunsheng deserves the Second Ten-Thousand Household Office position.
Then, Li Xiao granted the lion-head cavalry saber representing Myriad Household Commander status to Qin Chunsheng.
“Thanks, Great Governor!”
No extra words, no pledges like going through fire and water, but Li Xiao knows his loyalty.
He is a taciturn man, without so many twists and turns.
“Appoint Luo Meng as Third Ten-Thousand Household Office Myriad Household Commander.”
“Thanks, Great Governor!”
Luo Meng took the lion-head cavalry saber and shouted in a deep voice.
“Appoint Li Erjiang concurrently as Fourth Ten-Thousand Household Office Myriad Household Commander.”
“Appoint Li Sanhe as Fifth Ten-Thousand Household Office Myriad Household Commander.”
“Appoint Li Erhu as Sixth Ten-Thousand Household Office Myriad Household Commander.”
“Appoint Li Dashan concurrently as Seventh Ten-Thousand Household Office Myriad Household Commander.”
“Appoint Li Dahu as Eighth Ten-Thousand Household Office Myriad Household Commander.”
“Appoint Zhao Dadao as Ninth Ten-Thousand Household Office Myriad Household Commander.”
Zhao Dadao is Tazhai’s Zhao Tiezhu’s eldest son, also Li Xiao’s blood uncle.
He and Luo Meng and Qin Chunsheng represent Li Xiao’s kin.
Naturally bound to the Li Family’s war chariot.
More importantly, Tazhai, Hedong Fort, and Gushan Fort are Li Xiao’s old base.
They followed Li Xiao to attack Sanhe Fort, fighting to their current status.
These three families joined with original shares.
Emotionally and rationally, they cannot be forgotten when enfeoffing Myriad Household Commanders.
Besides these three, all other Myriad Household Commanders are Li Family people.
This shows Jin Prefecture’s upper power structure.
Li Family is unique.
The three great families are in the second tier.
Of course, Xiao Yanyan’s Xiao Family influence in Jin Prefecture is second only to the Li Family.
Besides the dowry Khitan chiliarch army, Jin Prefecture Deputy Governor Bali’ala is also Xiao Family.
Even his nominal status is higher than the two Commanders Li Erjiang and Li Dashan.
So, calling them Jin Prefecture’s four great imperial relatives families is more accurate.
Qin, Zhao, Luo, Xiao!
……
And while Jin Prefecture Army was reforming its military system, preparing for the next war, on the Onon River bank thousands of li away in the east.
A war deciding the overlord status in eastern Mongolia had begun.
Autumn winds howled, high mountain snowmelt flowing into the Onon River dwindled, riverbank land increasingly parched, ugly like unhealed wounds.
Temüjin reined his horse on the high slope, wolfskin cloak flapping in the wind.
He gazed at the Taichiud tribe banners faintly moving in the dense forest across the river, knuckles white from gripping.
Taichiud tribe is a branch of the Mongol tribes, twenty years ago part of the Kiyan tribe.
But from the moment Temüjin’s father Yesugei was poisoned, everything changed.
Tarkhutai took away a large crowd, establishing the Taichiud tribe.
Ruthlessly abandoning Temüjin and his mother in the wilderness, surrounded by wolf packs.
Temüjin was even bound by Tarkhutai and dragged behind a horse, thorns piercing flesh, his laughter more poisonous than a whip.
And now, it was time for Temüjin to take revenge.
“Temüjin, Kereit tribe’s army hasn’t arrived yet; do we still attack?” Jelme’s hoarse whisper came from behind.
White frost condensed on Temüjin’s wolfskin coat, his gaze toward the south, cold and hard as a vulture.
“Isn’t the Kereit tribe always like this?”
“Hmph!”
Temüjin was already used to it.
Although Ong Khan was nominally his foster father, and he grew strong amid grassland wolves only thanks to Ong Khan’s protection.
But Temüjin clearly knew Ong Khan always saw him as a tool.
Just a knife.
Every war, Ong Khan’s army lagged behind, arriving near the end to reap the fruits.
“No need for Kereit tribe’s help; I can still defeat the Taichiud tribe and Merkit people.” Temüjin said firmly.
Then, he issued a “no retreat” death order to his subordinates, meaning only charge forward bravely, fight to the death for a chance of survival.
At the same time, Taichiud tribe leader Tarkhutai and Merkit tribe leader Toqto’a stood on the steep riverbank, gazing at the forest, uneasy in their hearts.
“That kid Temüjin is full of tricks; we must be careful.” Toqto’a frowned, eyes full of worry.
Merkit tribe and Kiyan tribe are blood enemies; he had clashed with Temüjin many times before, knowing his cunning well.
But in Tarkhutai’s eyes, Temüjin was still that little wolf cub he once tormented.
Patting the long saber at his waist, he sneered: “Fear what! Relying on this forest and river, he can’t fly in!”
Taichiud tribe used terrain for careful defense, waiting for Temüjin’s allied army to walk into the trap.
However, they underestimated Temüjin’s determination and strategy.
The next morning at dawn, before full light, Temüjin’s army approached like ghosts.
Hoofbeats light, yet like muffled thunder rolling on the grassland.
“Charge!”
At Temüjin’s order, Kiyan tribe surged like tide toward the Taichiud and Merkit allied army’s defensive line.
Instantly, war horse neighs and shouts of killing shook the sky.
Taichiud and Merkit allied army initially relied on numerical advantage to resist Temüjin’s offensive, but under his army’s fierce assault, gradually showed signs of defeat.
Temüjin’s army had tacit tactical coordination, cavalry weaving back and forth, constantly impacting the enemy line.
But at this moment of impending victory, a cold arrow suddenly shot toward Temüjin, the arrowhead piercing his neck side, hot blood surging into mouth and nose.
In a daze, he saw his youthful self curled in the Taichiud cage, Tarkhutai raising an ox horn cup laughing: “Little wolf cub, drink this wine, and I’ll let you die painlessly.”
The scene vanished instantly, Temüjin’s memory returning to reality.
“Temüjin!”
Someone roared and pounced, it was Jelme.
Temüjin opened his eyes, face ferocious, said painfully: “I’m fine.”
“Won’t die.”
“Have Muqali command for me; must eliminate Taichiud tribe and Merkit people.”
After speaking, Temüjin fainted again.
Soon, Taichiud tribe’s line completely collapsed; Tarkhutai was captured alive by Temüjin’s army.
But Merkit tribe leader Toqto’a escaped again.
For Temüjin, Toqto’a was like an unkillable cockroach, escaping his grasp time after time.
Soon after, Kereit tribe army arrived; Temüjin had awakened, neck wound simply bandaged.
Enduring pain and weakness, he met Ong Khan.
At this time, he absolutely could not fall, or his hard-built foundation would be swallowed by Ong Khan.
“Temüjin, you’re injured.”
Seeing blood seeping from Temüjin’s neck, Ong Khan said emotionally agitated, pretending concern on the surface.
“Who hurt you? I will avenge you, flay and dismember him.”
Temüjin smiled lightly, pretending nothing was wrong: “It’s fine, foster father, just a minor wound.”
“The one who hurt me has been caught by my soldiers.”
“I allow him to become my guard.”
That young man called Jirghoadai was from a small tribe, but his archery was extremely skilled.
In that chaotic battlefield, he actually shot Temüjin’s neck with one arrow, nearly killing him.
Temüjin did not kill him, but had him brought before him.
“Kill me.” Jirghoadai closed his eyes.
Temüjin thrust an arrow into the ground by his feet, hoarse voice saying: “Grassland custom: whoever makes you bleed, make their blood flow like a river.”
“But my custom is…”
He snapped the arrow shaft fiercely, said deeply: “From now on, your arrows fly only for the Kiyan tribe’s Khan.”
Jirghoadai was ultimately convinced by Temüjin’s magnanimity and spirit, tremblingly picked up the broken arrow, knelt before Temüjin.
From then on, he had a new name: Jebe.
Meaning “arrowhead”.
“Temüjin, you truly are magnanimous.” Ong Khan haha laughed, unclear if praise or sarcasm.
Anyway, if Ong Khan were shot so severely, he would surely dismember the shooter a thousand times.
The two quickly glossed over the topic; even Temüjin did not question why Kereit tribe arrived only after the war nearly ended.
Pointless.
But Ong Khan’s mind was on the captives.
“Temüjin, this battle’s gains are huge for you!”
Seeing Ong Khan’s shifty little eyes, Temüjin knew his scheme.
Damn, simply an insatiable vicious dog.
Previously, when Temüjin was weak, he had to give war captives to Ong Khan for protection.
But this time, Temüjin did not plan to yield.
In a tone soft yet firm: “Foster father, these Taichiud tribe people all once followed my father through life and death~”
Taichiud tribe was originally part of Kiyan tribe; when Yesugei died, these people thought Temüjin could not hold Kiyan tribe, so they split off.
Now, Temüjin told them one sentence.
“Welcome home!”
Taichiud tribe herdsmen all surrendered, returning to Kiyan tribe.
So, Temüjin absolutely would not let them go.
“Hm?”
“Is that so?”
Ong Khan’s tone feigned displeasure, gaze ambiguously smiling at Temüjin.
How could he not know the ties between Kiyan and Taichiud tribes?
Just testing if Temüjin obeyed.
Indeed, Temüjin’s wings had hardened!
But facing Ong Khan’s intimidating gaze, Temüjin did not yield an inch.
Ultimately Ong Khan haha laughed, let it go, and instead said.
“Temüjin, prepare; next year continue with me to fight the Naiman people.”
He still decided to forgive Temüjin once; after all, a useful knife.
“Naiman people?”
Temüjin was speechless.
Early this year, they went to fight Naiman people.
But Ong Khan was arrogant, fell for Sun Khan brothers’ counter-plot, Kereit tribe suffered losses.
Less than a year later, Ong Khan wanted revenge.
Seeing Temüjin’s doubting gaze, Ong Khan smiled confidently: “Temüjin, believe me.”
“Naiman people are doomed this time.”
“Liao State’s Jin Prefecture Governor Li Xiao has sent an envoy, agreeing to pincer the Naiman people next spring.”
Hearing this, Temüjin was even more shocked.
“Liao State Jin Prefecture Governor Li Xiao?”
He had heard this name.
Last year, Liao State Sixth Courtyard Department Great King Xiao Simo warred greatly with Naiman people; this Li Xiao heavily defeated the Naiman people.
Unexpectedly, in just a year, this Li Xiao had become Jin Prefecture Governor.
“He wants to continue last year’s unfinished eastern expedition?” Temüjin asked.
Ong Khan chuckled: “More than that.”
“Naiman tribe killed Jin Prefecture herdsmen; Jin Prefecture Governor is very angry.”
“Wants revenge on Naiman people, so thought of us.”
“Moreover, Jin Prefecture Governor promises he only wants Sun Khan’s head.”
“Naiman tribe’s population and land all go to us.”
“This Khan decides, next spring mobilize.”
“Eliminate Naiman tribe.” Ong Khan said firmly.
If annexing Naiman tribe, Kereit tribe would become the sole overlord on the grassland.
Taichiud tribe, Kiyan tribe, Zadalran tribe etc., all must submit at his feet.
He, Ong Khan, might unify the grassland again.
So, even if he didn’t believe Li Xiao would honor the promise and yield Naiman grassland and population.
He must still campaign against Naiman people.
Just stay vigilant against Jin Prefecture Army.
Hearing Ong Khan’s ambitions, Temüjin was helpless.
He had no interest in Naiman tribe, preferring to conquer eastern grassland tribes.
But now was not time to fall out with Ong Khan.
“Temüjin, then your Kiyan tribe be the army’s vanguard.”
“After defeating Naiman people, I’ll give you half the Naiman captives and grassland.”
Hearing Ong Khan’s flatbread, Temüjin could only pretend belief: “Understood, foster father.”
Afterward, Temüjin’s Kiyan tribe entered a period of surging strength.
This Onon River battle’s victory was of extraordinary significance to Temüjin.
It not only further consolidated Temüjin’s ruling status in eastern Mongolian Grasslands, but greatly elevated his prestige among the tribes.
Many previously wavering small tribes, seeing Temüjin’s powerful military strength and leadership, chose to submit to him.
Temüjin’s sphere expanded further, subordinate crowds and army scale growing, yet making Ong Khan more wary of him.
Planning to weaken Temüjin’s power during the western expedition against Naiman people.
Soon, Li Xiao received Ong Khan’s reply.
Both sides agreed: next spring, east-west pincer on Naiman people.
“Temüjin!”
“Hope you come then!”
Li Xiao said coldly.
His real intent was not the wine; the true target was this man called Temüjin.
